Mr Oddy put his skills as a carpenter and joiner, and a jewellery maker to use in building the electrically powered model. It took four years to build “on and off”.

“It represents the ship as she was when we sailed up the Hamoaze in Devonport after returning from the Falklands, he said.

The model is accurate down to the bullet holes left by the canons of an Argentine aircraft. Inspecting the model, Sir John said: “This brings back memories.” He pointed to a spot on the foredeck, below the bridge and immediately above the bullet holes. “I was standing right here when those holes were made,” he said.

Mr Oddy said: “As we sailed up the Hamoaze to Devonport there was a real feeling of euphoria among the crew.”

At the Wilcove launch, Lady Diana rang that ship’s bell to mark the launch.

Some of the men who served on HMS Brilliant during the Falklands War (Image: Keith Rossiter)

Mr Oddy, who was an engineer on Brilliant during the Falklands War, said the captain’s wife had played a vital role “looking after our wives while we were down in the Falklands.It’s easy to forget about those left at home. It is often harder for them,” he said.

The original HMS Brilliant was sold to Brazil after she was pensioned off by the Royal Navy, and has since been sold for scrap.